by Michael Boss
Casein on Rag board
20" X 28"
From the Collection of Carol Hobbs, Hill City, Kansas
In the 1920s, aviation was "hot" in America Nationwide, diners, restaurants, and even gasoline stations took on the theme of airplanes and dirigibles. Pups, toads, fruit, Sphinxes, ships, etc., were also incorporated into this whimsical approach to business This wonderful and humorous part of America is known as programmatic architecture.
The Zep Diner, c. 1931, was located at 515 Florence Avenue in Los Angeles, and was a classic subject to have fun with. It seems plausible that some musicians, finished with an early morning gig, stopped for a sandwich or spirits and started a small jam session Somehow, a bit of Irving Berlin sort of crept into the title!